2023
In January 2023, I flew to New York for Kingpins, a denim trade show. I began building connections in an industry that was new to me and searching for the right fabric—the foundation of every pair.
Why we made KarinaJ
I was so tired of clothing sizes becoming report cards for our bodies. If our jeans felt tight, suddenly we were wondering what had changed about us. But bodies change—even between breakfast and dinner.
Pull-on jeans and jeggings gave me room to breathe, but they were missing all the little details—pockets, buttons, belt loops—that made them look like real jeans. Standing next to a woman in denim, I didn’t feel as stylish. I felt like I’d clearly traded style for an elastic waistband.
I wanted us to have both. So I created KarinaJ: jeans that look like the ones you love, with a hidden pull-on waistband that gives you room to live in them all day.
I was so tired of jeans becoming report cards for our bodies.
And while pull-on jeans and jeggings gave me room to breathe, they didn’t have any of the details—pockets, buttons, belt loops—that made them look like real jeans.
I wanted us to have both. So I created KarinaJ: jeans that look like the ones you love, with a hidden slip-on waistband that gives you room to live in them all day.
3.5 years in the making
2024
My home filled with swatches as mills sent samples back and forth. I partnered with a former Levi’s designer to turn the idea into a design, exploring fabrics, construction, and fit.
2025
We worked through six rounds of prototypes and extensive fit sessions on different body types. A technical designer from Athleta joined me to refine the waistband, fit, and how the denim recovered after wear.
2026
After 3.5 years of development, I launched on Kickstarter in February 2026, generating more than $10,000 in preorders within 72 hours. Women told me, “I wish I could take these home today.”
How the jeans work
- Concealed leggings waistband
- Decorative button (non-functional)
- No zipper — just stretch
If you’ve ever wished your jeans worked with you instead of against you — I built these for you <3
— Karina
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